A Continual Farewell: My Life in Letters with Tony Wilson

A Continual Farewell tells the story of the relationship between Factory Records’ Tony Wilson and his first wife, Lindsay Reade, through their letters, Factory Records memorabilia and numerous family photos and snapshots. Many are typed on Factory notepaper, or are scrawled on pages from various studios and hotels.

They begin in the punk year of 1976 from love at first sight to marriage, from a music show entitled So It Goes to the formation of Factory and the Hacienda, across domestic infidelities, separation, stalled reconciliations and a brutal sacking.

After all that, when the reader would doubt any recovery was possible, the letters describe a renewed but now illicit love affair of former marriage partners. And beyond that, to a lasting friendship.

Lindsay Reade worked at Factory Records, sang lead vocals on a single with The Durutti Column and was an early manager of the Stone Roses. She is the author of Mr Manchester and the Factory Girl and co-author of Torn Apart: The Life of Ian Curtis.